Dorothy B. Blake, 89
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. â€' Dorothy B. Blake, 89, formerly of Meadowvale, died Monday, April 20, 2009, at Williamstown Commons following a long illness.
Born in Williamstown on Jan 28, 1920, daughter of Elmer and Bessie Elwell Stone, she was a 1939 graduate of the former Williamstown High School and attended the former Bliss Business College in North Adams.
A decorated Army veteran of World War II, she enlisted in 1942 in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps and a year later in its successor, the Women's Army Corps. She served in three campaigns in the Pacific â€' New Guinea, Southern Philippines and the Philippine island of Luzon â€' and received the WAAC Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Ribbon with three bronze stars and the Philippines Liberation Ribbon.
Mrs. Blake was employed by the former Sprague Products Co. for 25 years, retiring in 1985. She and her husband, Harry Edward Blake, had lived and worked on Mount Hope Farm for many years prior to moving into the village.
A member of First United Methodist Church since 1935, she served in a variety of capacities including as a trustee, Sunday school director and teacher and editor of the church newspaper. She enjoyed reading, swimming and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the joys of her life.
She was a member of Richard A. Ruether American Legion Post 152 and, on Oct. 18, 1997, was recognized for her devotion and service by the Army as a charter member at the dedication of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Her husband, Harry E. Blake, died Jan 11, 1963.
She leaves two sons, Edward Blake and his wife, Lynne, of North Adams and Steven Blake and his wife, Patricia, of Shushan, N.Y.; a brother, Everett Stone of Williamstown; four grandchildren, Jennifer Meyer and her husband, Tim, of Leonardtown, Md., Christopher Blake and his wife, Maria, of Croydon, Pa., Heather Attardo of Arlington, Vt., and Amanda Blake of Richmond, Va.; four great-granddaughters, Blake Meyer of Leonardtown, Carly Blake of Croydon and Brianna and Kayla Griffin of Arlington and several nieces and nephews.
FUNERAL NOTICE â€' Funeral services will be conducted at noon on Friday, April 24, at Sherman Burbank Chapel at Eastlawn Cemetery in Williamstown by the Rev. Michelle Grube. Burial will follow in the family plot at Eastlawn.
Calling hours will be held Friday morning from 10 to 11:30 at Auge-San Soucie-Simmons Funeral Home, 46 North Church St., North Adams, MA 01247.
Memorial donations may be made to Village Ambulance Service in care of the funeral home.